Since time began Spain’s isolation from the rest of Europe has been down solely to the Pyrenees, but the coming of aviation put a stop to that. In fact since the 1950’s Spain’s Mediterranean coastline has gradually developed into a playground for the rest of Europe. Even so, relatively few foreign visitors, residents or tourists, venture away from its beaches, golf courses, often hastily built urbanisations and towering apartment blocks that have developed from the north to southern Andalucia. If they did they would find a country that would take several lifetimes to know properly, for each region is different, physically and culturally and the whole is very different from the rest of Europe. Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe, much of which is a great plateau slashed by valleys and gorges. The western Pyrenees are part of the Basque region which in Spain extends westwards along the north coast through Navarra, from where the mountains of Cantabria stretch along the Bay of Biscay to Galicia, the corner of Spain which lies on the Atlantic coast north of Portugal. In southern Spain the Sierra Nevada, provides an impressive range of snow covered mountains lively with ski resorts only two hours away from the popular southern coastal strip of Andalucia.

 These Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal strips can guarantee hot dry summers and mild winters which over the years has already lured many northern European residents to buy property or visit for their annual holidays. Inland the story is rather different – though it is there, away from the resorts, that the true Spain is revealed. There too is splendid evidence of the country’s golden past. Spain’s rapid growth of tourism opened up the country to outside influences and changed social attitudes and tastes, particularly among the young, but it was not until Franco’s death, in 1975, that true liberalisation could begin. In 1947 Franco had promised to restore the monarchy, and in accordance with his wishes Juan Carlos, grandson of Alfonso XIII, succeeded him and took the oath as head of state and King of Spain.

A Spanish welcome

The 17th at Valderrama 

But beneath this modern veneer the old Spain lives on. The flamenco guitar holds its own against its electric counterpart, there are more tapa bars selling the traditional snacks of anchovies and spiced sausage than hamburger counters, and a top torero (bullfighter) is as big a hero as any footballer. Of course these are generalisations. To this day Spain is more regionally conscious, probably, than any other nation in Europe.

Spain’s principal tourist areas are the Costa Brava, running south from the French-Spanish border to just north-east of Barcelona. Farther south still the pine forests give way to orange groves and Catalonia to Valencia. The port of Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, after Madrid and Barcelona. From the southern part of Valencia begins the Costa Blanca – the White Coast, a name derived from its clear white light. There, the popular resort towns of Benidorm and Alicante provide the main attractions - there too begins the warm, sunny south.

The south coast provides most foreigners’ images of Spain, although in fact it is the area in which the Moorish heritage is strongest of all. This is Andalucia, the land of flamenco dancers, gypsies and toreadors, a land of romance and blood.

No wonder Andalucia appeals to tourists, even if for the most part they seldom leave the sandy beaches of the sunny coast – the Costa del Sol – and its miles long backdrop of hotels, villas, golf courses and high-rise apartments that run from Malaga to the fashionable resorts of Marbella and Sotogrande.

The Costa del Sol now houses the largest enclave of Brits than any other part of the world outside the UK and they still keep coming. Residential tourism is now the backbone of Spain’s annual tourist figures and a dependable source of revenue. But the Brits are not alone. Scandinavians, Germans, Dutch and Russians have all come scampering after the sun.

Although there are many Mediterranean countries able to boast continuous summer sunshine none can match Andalucia’s weather in winter – and European golfers found that out over forty years ago. From small beginnings Andalucia’s golf courses have multiplied rapidly and there are now over 100 courses to choose from with many more under construction or planned. Between October and May golfers from all over Europe and further a field flood down to swing a club and relax in the sun. Many have bought property from a modest apartment to luxury villas. Andalucia has become the playground of Europe without doubt.